1959-D Atypical Die Clash ADC-1C-1959D-02

Description

Cataloged as ADC-1c-1959D-02, this 1959-D Lincoln Memorial cent presents an unusual tilted die clash with a measured 4-degree rotation between the dies at the moment of impact. On the obverse, the tops of the letters TAT from the reverse inscription STATES appear transferred beneath Lincoln's bust, displaced from their expected clash position due to the die rotation. The reverse bears a bar-shaped clash mark through the letters STAT of STATES, formed by the flat field below Lincoln's bust on the obverse die during the off-axis contact. Additionally, a teardrop-shaped clash mark near the right top bar of the first T in STATES was created by the fold in Lincoln's jacket, demonstrating how fine design details transfer during a clash event. The overlay analysis shows the relative position of the dies at the moment they clashed, clearly illustrating the 4-degree rotational offset. Tilted die clashes are among the most studied and visually dramatic die clash varieties, as the rotational displacement moves design transfers away from their expected mirror-image positions into locations that require careful overlay analysis to decode. The obverse die has the tops of the letters TAT from the word STATES on the reverse die transferred to a point under Lincolns bust.

External References